Supreme Court Gives MP Assembly Speaker Two Months To Decide Congress MLA Nirmala Sapre's Disqualification Plea Under Anti-Defection Law

The Supreme Court has instructed the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker to resolve a disqualification petition against Congress MLA Nirmala Sapre within two months, following a case filed over two years ago. The petition, submitted by Opposition Leader Umang Singhara, claims that Sapre abandoned her Congress membership and switched allegiance to the BJP after her victory in the 2023 Assembly election, secured on a Congress ticket.

Attorney Vivek Tankha, representing the petitioner, emphasized the significance of the case, asserting that it would effectively nullify the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. Tankha contended that Sapre had been seen campaigning with the opposition, yet the Speaker had failed to initiate proceedings against her.

The Supreme Court's bench, consisting of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, expressed frustration over the High Court's failure to expedite the decision-making process. The bench emphasized that petitions under the anti-defection law must be addressed promptly.

Tankha further noted that the High Court had dismissed Singhara's plea for a timely resolution, contending that there was no urgency as the proceedings were already underway before the Speaker. Sapre herself has denied voluntarily resigning from Congress or joining the BJP. Despite her claims, she is alleged to have joined the BJP in May 2024 during a campaign visit to Bina in Sagar district, alongside Chief Minister Mohan Yadav. Sapre later denied formally aligning herself with the BJP.

The court's ruling underscores its intolerance towards illicit activities such as liquor, drugs, and carbide guns, ordering the Chief Minister to take stringent police action against such crimes in Bhopal.